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toastyghosty13's reviews
109 reviews
Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer
still was pretty cute, i would probably recommend to my friends who enjoy modern romances.
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
this was a modern romance about a woman, Alison, who lives in minnesota and finds out her ex boyfriend has died. upon arriving at his funeral, she quickly realizes he never told anyone that he broke up with her, and so they all assume she is still currently his girlfriend. she meets his attractive harrison ford-esque best friend, and they are subsequently stuck together each weekend emptying out their late friends condo so it can be put back on the market.
this was pretty run of the mill modern romance, although i did like how it took place in the midwest. the first 50% of the book was a bit boring for me, but the premise was there and unique. i also mainly read fantasy so i feel like i have some bias there when it comes to this genre. about 50% of the way through, the 2 main characters get together for the first time. it felt a little bit rushed to me to suddenly have this man so worried about Ali but maybe that’s because i read the 2nd half of this book in 1 4hr sitting.
some things that i noted:
this was a modern romance about a woman, Alison, who lives in minnesota and finds out her ex boyfriend has died. upon arriving at his funeral, she quickly realizes he never told anyone that he broke up with her, and so they all assume she is still currently his girlfriend. she meets his attractive harrison ford-esque best friend, and they are subsequently stuck together each weekend emptying out their late friends condo so it can be put back on the market.
this was pretty run of the mill modern romance, although i did like how it took place in the midwest. the first 50% of the book was a bit boring for me, but the premise was there and unique. i also mainly read fantasy so i feel like i have some bias there when it comes to this genre. about 50% of the way through,
some things that i noted:
the new years text from the future thing was my immediate prediction of what would happen as soon as adam mentioned how sam wanted to set him up with a girl that would be perfect for him at a NYE party - too much “our foreheads touched” idk that’s cringe to me but subjective
- wasn’t smut like i thought it was going to be, very much behind closed doors/only talking about the make outs. my anticipation is based on what i hear about other modern romances and the ~3 books i have read (icebreaker series, butcher & blackbird)
i found the main conflict of people getting mad at Ali for trying to do things that “weren’t really her” to be a bit annoying and stupid. who cares if it’s not in character for her to sign up for an ultramarathon or take a hiking/camping trip through patagonia?? let her live her life and discover that she hates that on her own. i could understand if it’s an intervention because she is financially unstable or something health related but it really just boiled down to adam and her friends disliking that it wasn’t who she is at her core. people can discover likes and dislikes throughout their lives, felt kind of like a baseless conflict. i was expecting much more conflict from her pretending to be sam’s current gf
still was pretty cute, i would probably recommend to my friends who enjoy modern romances.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
Dragon Den by Kriss Dean
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I got this as an ARC from NetGalley.
I really wanted to enjoy this book based on the premise that it is How to Train Your Dragon mixed with Fourth Wing. I do not feel like it properly lived up to that hype, and I wish it did. I think at a base level the idea was there, but that it almost went too quick to properly form an attachment to any of the characters. I think the idea of post modern dragon air force is cool, but there was not enough meaningful world building to really get me hooked.
The book takes place in/around Seattle, WA and the characters go to a school for dragon riding similar to Basgiath in Fourth Wing. The main character Markus has failed to "break a dragon" and must pack his bags and leave until one of his superior officers offers him the chance for redemption: to use a dragon whose rider was recently murdered and catch whoever has been hijacking the obsidian shipments.
This book was supposedly 180 pages, but I think it was more like 360 since it def felt longer. Ironically, I think it could have used more world building and probably less of the small things like being in class that don't matter as much. There were some cool aspects like gong to Amira's family dinner to talk to her mobster dad that I wish were explored more if Markus was supposed to be a double agent. Instead, we got capture the flag and other games that I feel like did not add much value for the worldbuilding or for creating attachments to the side characters. There was even a romance that I felt was a bit rushed, from classmates to full on banging.
The book ends in a way that sets it up for a sequel. I think that the concept is there and could be another great dragon read, but it definitely needs a bit of work.
I really wanted to enjoy this book based on the premise that it is How to Train Your Dragon mixed with Fourth Wing. I do not feel like it properly lived up to that hype, and I wish it did. I think at a base level the idea was there, but that it almost went too quick to properly form an attachment to any of the characters. I think the idea of post modern dragon air force is cool, but there was not enough meaningful world building to really get me hooked.
The book takes place in/around Seattle, WA and the characters go to a school for dragon riding similar to Basgiath in Fourth Wing. The main character Markus has failed to "break a dragon" and must pack his bags and leave until one of his superior officers offers him the chance for redemption: to use a dragon whose rider was recently murdered and catch whoever has been hijacking the obsidian shipments.
This book was supposedly 180 pages, but I think it was more like 360 since it def felt longer. Ironically, I think it could have used more world building and probably less of the small things like being in class that don't matter as much. There were some cool aspects like
The book ends in a way that sets it up for a sequel. I think that the concept is there and could be another great dragon read, but it definitely needs a bit of work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really enjoyed reading this book because it was a way to show how the most unlikely of methods could help you to have a better outlook on life. This book was emotional, but has at least one thing throughout all of the stories that I think any reader could relate to. This was a pretty quick read and each story left me feeling inspired. It was a good feel good book.
The only thing that felt off for me was how a lot of the characters talked about the librarian. The way they talked or thought about her was kind of gross, especially when she basically helped them turn their lives around.
The only thing that felt off for me was how a lot of the characters talked about the librarian. The way they talked or thought about her was kind of gross, especially when she basically helped them turn their lives around.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This was an oddly unsettling book that I have read of this series thus far. Most of the mysteries that Flavia solves are somewhat detached from Flavia and the De Luce family, but this time they find her mother's body. Flavia then starts the arduous and emotional process of proving her mother's murder and solving it, which would be traumatic for anyone.
The ending of this book was a slight cliffhanger that was a great setup for the next book. I am heavily invested in Flavia, and I feel like this fits very well with the fact that I have been reading the Gallagher Girls series lately too. I love Flavia's adventures and I think the next books will be a great change of pace for her.
The ending of this book was a slight cliffhanger that was a great setup for the next book. I am heavily invested in Flavia, and I feel like this fits very well with the fact that I have been reading the Gallagher Girls series lately too. I love Flavia's adventures and I think the next books will be a great change of pace for her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Murder
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was great to listen to because I love Neil Gaiman's writing and voice. The audiobook was narrated by him. I do not know much about norse mythology other than what I have seen in the Thor movies, but I think I liked this book more. It shows how Thor also kind of sucks as a major character in the myths, and it also explains how the gods came to be from Odin. The stories were many that I have not heard before, and are all somewhat cohesive in that they each provide context that helps with the last story of Ragnarok. This was cool to listen to, and I think more captivating to listen to rather than read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, War, Child death, Death, Violence, Murder, and Death of parent
Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book dearly, and was surprised at how much so. Although I probably should not be surprised, given the rating I gave to the other prequel Witcher book, I still did not expect to have such a love for the characters. Geralt is such a wonderful character to follow along in his adventures, especially how he is an absolute simp for mommy Yennefer. I love the strange dynamic between them that has been formed from the last short story of the previous book. They have a love denial relationship, although the denial is def only coming from Yen. I am excited to read the other books in this series, this series is so much better than the TV show it is a crime that I don't see the books mentioned on bookish social media as often. 11/10 recommend and insanely glad I bought the special illustrated editions!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual content
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This book has some great tips on how to better form goals that you want to achieve. The content is there while also not overwhelmingly dry. I did not ever feel bored while reading this. If you do not take any of the tips from this book, you will at least leave it feeling inspired to better form the goals in your life.
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was exactly what it was advertising to be: a lighthearted romance story between people with trauma and some smut. the writing wasn't great, but I do enjoy how the books in this series are very similar in themes to the movie Chef: they start off with the characters going through tough times, and their lives keep getting better even though you expect something bad to happen. This is a great light hearted read for in between serious books that are very deep. It is pretty surface level and it feels like a palette cleanser, but it almost feels like an insult to call it a palette cleanser since the characters are pretty loveable. This was not as smutty as the book before this, called Icebreaker, although that was some overkill on the smut given how innocent the covers look.
Overall, cute read, I enjoyed the characters a lot.
Overall, cute read, I enjoyed the characters a lot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Addiction
there is gambling addiction too
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I decided to listen to this as an audiobook this time around. This is already one of my favorite stories and it was actually more enjoyable listening to Neil Gaiman read it himself. Since he wrote the book, he read different lines and characters in tones and accents than how I normally read them. It made the story a bit more lighthearted, and also made me tear up more at the end than I normally do. I love this book and I am so glad I was able to hear it read to me in the way the author intends because it really does transform how you perceive it. If you like old fairy tales, I implore you to read this!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
The Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
AAAAA this book was adorable!!! I am really happy that it focused on the relationship between Nathaniel and Elizabeth more, since I did feel like it was a bit lacking in the main book. Nathaniel and Elizabeth are so cute <33333 It was such a sweet slice of life type episode, where the residents of Thorn manor are trapped within the manor and they must figure out why and how to escape in time for the Winter Ball. Silas is everything in this book and I love Mercy. I wish I got to see more of Mercy, Katrien, and Perceval so I am hoping there will be a 2nd book.
I sincerely hope for more with this series since the ending could easily be a tie off or a place to pick up. Silas still has a lot of backstory I desperately need to hear more about!! Please read this if you read Sorcery of Thorns, you will not regret it!!!
I sincerely hope for more with this series since the ending could easily be a tie off or a place to pick up. Silas still has a lot of backstory I desperately need to hear more about!! Please read this if you read Sorcery of Thorns, you will not regret it!!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Child death